From Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna

Entire communities in Kutaho and Kugir, Aribi Ward of Kagarko Local Government Area in Kaduna State, have been deserted after a deadly midnight attack by armed bandits who abducted a Catholic catechist, his heavily pregnant wife, their baby and about 29 others.

The brazen assault, which occurred around 2 a.

m. on Monday, has forced more than 90 per cent of residents to flee to neighbouring villages, leaving homes abandoned and families displaced.

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kutaho, Rev. Fr. Linus Matthew Bobai, said the attackers stormed the communities after earlier issuing threats and ransom demands.

“Before the incident, they called one of my parishioners and demanded ₦10 million, threatening to kidnap him if he failed to comply,” Fr. Bobai said. “They claim our people engage in irrigation farming and ginger cultivation, so they believe there is money here.”

According to him, the bandits returned as threatened, launching a coordinated operation while he was away in Kaduna purchasing textbooks for St. Joseph School.

Sixteen persons were abducted in Kutaho, including the catechist, his pregnant wife and their baby. Another 16 were taken from Kugir, bringing the total number of victims to 32.

Fr. Bobai disclosed that more than 20 residents were initially rounded up in Kutaho, but the attackers later released elderly persons and those with health challenges. In Kugir, the gunmen reportedly invaded a church outstation residence, abducting several occupants, including children. Some victims, however, managed to escape while being led away.

The village head narrowly escaped death after he was attacked with a machete during the raid.

“The Dakachi was almost killed. His head and arm were badly injured, and he had to be rushed to Kagarko for treatment,” the priest said.

On the security response, Fr. Bobai noted that soldiers stationed in a neighbouring community had earlier been alerted following the threats. Complaints were lodged, but residents were reportedly informed that the area lacked regular patrols.

The priest appealed to the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to urgently intervene, warning that the mass displacement has deepened the humanitarian crisis in the area.

“More than 90 per cent of our people slept outside the community. Only a few of us remained behind to keep vigil. Our members cannot continue to run indefinitely,” he said.

The latest attack underscores the persistent insecurity plaguing rural communities in parts of Kaduna State, where residents continue to demand sustained security presence and proactive patrols.

Families of the abducted victims have called for prayers and swift government action to secure their release and restore normalcy.

As of press time, the Kaduna State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement. Repeated calls to the command’s spokesperson were not answered.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Fresh fears over insecurity deepened in Benue State on Monday night after gunmen attacked a commercial bus along the Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga Road in Ado Local Government Area, killing two travellers and abducting at least 12 others, barely 24 hours after worshippers were kidnapped from a Catholic church in the same axis.

The attack occurred around 7pm when an 18-seater bus conveying 16 Igede-speaking passengers from Oju and Obi local government areas was ambushed while en route to states in the South-West.

The travellers had reportedly departed Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA before encountering the assailants at a boundary area between Utonkon community in Ado LGA and Ojapo-Okpoga community in Okpokwu LGA.

Confirming the incident, the National Publicity Secretary of the Utonkon socio-cultural organisation, Ufia Development Association (UDA), Comrade Jude Onwe, said the gunmen stopped the bus and forcibly took the passengers into the bush.

According to him, the driver was shot dead after allegedly refusing to stop, while the attackers confiscated the victims’ phones to prevent them from contacting relatives. Another passenger was also killed during the attack.

The Chairman of Oju Local Government Council, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed that 16 travellers were attacked, noting that two victims were killed, while two others were rescued through the intervention of the Okpokwu Local Government chairman.

“I commend the effort of the Okpokwu chairman for ensuring the rescue of two persons so far and for his assurance that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining 12 abductees. This is a pathetic situation that calls for urgent government attention,” Ominyi said.

The incident came just a day after nine worshippers were reportedly abducted by suspected herdsmen from St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, in Utonkon, further heightening tension in the area. Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Benue State Police Command proved unsuccessful as the Police Public Relations Officer did not respond to calls or messages.

Meanwhile, amid rising attacks across the North-Central, the Nigerian Army has begun deploying specially trained troops to Benue and neighbouring states to bolster security.

In a statement signed by the Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the Army said troops of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion XV had been deployed to Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states as force multipliers to OPWS.

The deployment, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, followed the completion of an intensive Special Forces training programme at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora. The Army said the troops arrived in the Joint Operations Area with high morale and combat readiness and were expected to bring renewed momentum to efforts to dismantle criminal networks, curb banditry and restore normalcy to affected communities.

Welcoming the troops, the OPWS Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara, urged them to maintain professionalism, respect human rights, collaborate with other security agencies and build cordial relations with host communities.

In a related development, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, disclosed that Special Forces would also be deployed to Kwara State and parts of Niger State as the military intensifies efforts to curb insecurity in the North-Central.

Speaking during the 2025 budget appraisal and defence of the 2026 budget proposal before the House Committee on Defence, Oluyede said Special Forces had already been deployed to Benue and Plateau states, while a new Joint Task Force, Operation Savannah Shield, would soon be inaugurated to cover Kwara and parts of Niger.

He stressed that while the Armed Forces had made gains against banditry and insurgency, sustaining peace required urgent strengthening of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, citing manpower limitations and the strain of multiple deployments on the military.

As communities in Benue continue to reel from deadly attacks and abductions, residents now look to the renewed military deployments to stem the tide of violence and restore confidence along once-busy highways and rural settlements.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Kogi State Government has ordered the temporary closure of selected markets and motor parks in the western district of the state as part of intensified and coordinated security operations in the affected areas.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed this on Sunday in Lokoja while briefing journalists.

He said the measure was aimed at flushing out terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements operating within parts of the state.

Fanwo explained that the temporary closure was designed to cut off logistics, restrict the movement of consumables and deny criminal elements, as well as their informants, access to food supplies and other forms of support during the security exercise.

He said, “The directive affects selected communities across seven local government areas of the state.

“The measure is in support of ongoing clearance operations being carried out in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the heads of security agencies in Kogi State.”

According to the commissioner, the affected markets and motor parks—expected to remain closed for the duration of the operations—are located in Lokoja, Kogi, Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Mopa Muro, Yagba West and Yagba East local government areas of the state’s western district.

He noted that the action was strictly temporary and would be lifted immediately after the successful conclusion of the security operations in the affected local government areas.

Fanwo also recalled that the state government, on February 4, 2026, ordered the closure of all primary and secondary schools across the state, a move he said was taken to safeguard lives and property amid prevailing security concerns.